ATLANTA -- The State Transportation Board elected its new executive leadership team during its monthly meeting Thursday. Ann R. Purcell was elected unanimously as chairman; Tim Golden was elected vice chairman; and Rudy Bowen was elected secretary. The new positions are effective immediately. Board elections are held annually to ensure that all regions of the state are represented at the executive leadership level. Purcell, of Rincon, has served on the board for five years and represents Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, which encompasses 17 counties. She is a community and civic leader, a published genealogist, former educator and previously served 18 years in the Georgia House of Representatives. While in the House, she served as chairman on several committees. During her last years, she served as chairman of the the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee and as vice chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee. She is a graduate of Georgia Southern College. Most recently, she was board vice chair, served as chair of the Gateways Committee and also served on two other committees. She also previously served as board secretary. As chair, Purcell will serve as ex officio member of all committees. Purcell replaces Jamie Boswell of Athens. He represents the 10th Congressional District. During Boswell's tenure, Georgia DOT advanced two Major Mobility Investment Program projects; the first -– a widening project on I-85 in Gwinnett, Barrow and Jackson counties –- broke ground, and the second –- the I-16/I-95 Interchange reconstruction –- was awarded. Additionally, Boswell focused on meeting Georgia DOT staff in every district and working with them to support their needs and efforts. He is a business and civic leader; president and owner of a group of insurance, real estate and appraisal companies; and a graduate of the University of Georgia. “I am humbled to have been elected to this position by my peers,” said Purcell. “This is a fantastic board of people who are all working to make Georgia the best it can be in terms of transportation and connectivity. I look forward to taking on this role and continuing to work with outgoing Chairman Boswell, Commissioner McMurry and the employees of the Georgia DOT to continue on our path of innovation, leadership and success.”